Jose Mourinho has got it made with a squad of such special talent

Jose Mourinho was not the only asset from Chelsea’s past to make a welcome return at Stamford Bridge yesterday. As the club kicked off their Premier League campaign with an encouraging victory over Hull, understandably all the focus was on one man.

Mourinho’s mere presence on the sidelines provided the kind of strength that has been missing for long periods since his first spell ended in 2007.

The former Real Madrid coach is undoubtedly Chelsea’s best acquisition of the summer, which is why many bookmakers make them favourites to finish top come May.

However, perhaps an even greater indication that they are ready to mount their first serious title challenge for four seasons was the number of players sitting behind him in the dug-out.

One of the main characteristics behind the League triumphs under Mourinho in 2005 and 2006, plus Carlo Ancelotti in 2010, was the size of Chelsea’s squad. Having a strong first XI is vital but just as important is the ability to have strength in reserve for when injuries, fatigue and suspensions take their toll.

Quality back-up options have decreased in recent years. One just has to look at the players named on the substitutes’ bench for the Europa League Final last May.

While not suggesting that those seven players aren’t talented, it is hardly a list of players to strike fear in the opposition and tellingly, Benitez didn’t use any of them during the victory over Benfica.

In contrast, after some astute summer spending and the return of players from loan, Mourinho suddenly appears to have a wealth of riches at his disposal to choose from. As Hull were being swept aside in a highly impressive first-half display, watching on the bench was £100million of talent in Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku, Demba Ba, Andre Schurrle, Michael Essien and Marco van Ginkel, with Mark Schwarzer a free but more valuable replacement for Turnbull. When you consider there was no room (for a variety of reasons) for David Luiz, Victor Moses, Mikel, Cesar Azpilicueta, Ryan Bertrand and Tomas Kalas and it is no wonder there is confidence at the club.

Frank Lampard, who made up for a rare penalty miss by firing in a 30-yard free-kick to put Chelsea two goals ahead, can certainly appreciate the difference. He told Standard Sport: “Any team that wants to win things has to have a strong squad and if you look at our bench and beyond that, we have got that. It is very important.

“There are a lot of players, young and old looking to do well. They have to contribute and that is the case for any player here, myself included.

“If you’re not playing certain games, you have to come on and contribute, or stay fit and be ready to be there at any stage.”

Captain John Terry echoed those sentiments in his programme notes, adding: “We want to kick on again this season and we have a great squad that are capable of competing for honours on all fronts.

“We have strengthened the squad yet again while the return of Kevin De Bruyne and Lukaku from their loan spells gives us even more options in the attacking areas, so we are fully prepared for whatever the season throws at us.”

Due to the UEFA Super Cup tie with Bayern Munich at the end of the month, Chelsea are already facing an early test of their resources with another home match against Aston Villa in two days’ time before a trip to Manchester United on Monday.

Given that the players have also endured a tough pre-season, which took in two tours to South-East Asia and the United States, the need for rotation is vital.

Yet crucially that is something Mourinho will be able to consider without fearing a drop in standards.

There was no greater example of that against Hull yesterday than the presence of De Bruyne, who started instead of Mata.

It was the Belgium international’s competitive debut for Chelsea after spells on loan at Genk and Werder Bremen having initially signed from the former for £7million in January 2012.

He was arguably the best player on view as was demonstrated by a fine assist for the opening goal which Oscar took advantage of.

Such displays will take the pressure off Mata to perform every week and certainly made Mourinho’s homecoming all the more sweet.